Thursday, December 17, 2009

This time I have a teacher's card to share. I have had a picture of this fantastic card, by the talented Margaret Moody, on my computer for a while - and when it came time to adapt it, I loved it too much to change... As well as being my first total 'copy', it was also the first time I'd used Yoyo Yellow! I love everything about Margaret's original design, but I had to adapt it a tiny bit to suit a standard Australian card size and to suit my circle punches. The inside of the card is lined with Whisper White and stamped with the apple image.

I am sorry it has been such a long time between posts, with promises of Regionals projects etc still not uploaded - but I am getting there slowly! It has been a huge eye opener for me this year, thinking that I would have heaps of time to make my Christmas cards and little gifts... not realising that everything else (orders, workshops, classes etc) steps up in the leadup to Christmas as well! Not to mention people are still having birthdays too... ;)

Since it is the last Inkspirations Challenge for the year (and if you look back through my posts, you will see that these are what got me into blogging in the first place), I decided to make an extra-special effort to join in! Here is Keesh's fab sketch:

And here is my card, on its way to friends who have recently welcomed their second daughter into the world!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Summer is definitely my favourite season... and to celebrate I also have copies of the new Summer Mini catalogue ready to go :) Check out the gorgeous new stamp sets, tools and accessories here or from my sidebar.

Demonstrators attending the Regional Seminars received the new 'Hello Again' set and coordinating 'Retro Remix' wheel! I will be back later in the week to show the projects we made and also the fabulous swaps I recieved - so many gorgeous creations!

I was a little nervous heading off to my first Regionals, but I didn't have to be - after coming out of the lifts at the Hilton and seeing a swarm of people greeting each other and swapping their projects, it was just so exciting! And I got to meet my team leader Kim Gavarra in person *waving* and some of the lovely ladies in her team. The whole day was wonderful, and I am so looking forward to putting all my newfound knowledge and inspiration into practice.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

I am off to the Stampin' Up! Brisbane Regionals this weekend, and that is just one reason why I haven't been posting lately! The other reasons include a lot of family events, family and friends coming to stay, etc.

I will be back on Monday to show you my swaps from Regionals, and also to celebrate the release of the Summer Mini - it goes live on 1st December! I'll be adding a link, but if you'd like a 'real' copy, just let me know (or your own Demonstrator if that's not me) and I'll get a copy to you.

Despite our crazy week, I did manage to squeeze in a trip to the movies to go and see 'New Moon' (part 2 of the Twilight Saga for those who aren't fans). The best part is, that since this movie came out, I'm not getting teased so much for being 'Team Jacob' anymore!! Lol.

There's still time to place your final orders as we say goodbye to the Spring Mini - my last orders will be placed on Monday morning, so contact me if you'd like to order any of the beautiful products in the Spring mini catalogue.

Have a great week, and if you get a spare moment, why not join in Keesh's fabulous sketch challenge! I have really been missing joining in, but have had to let a few things slide this week.

I was experimenting with my greeting and discovered that the 1" circle fits neatly inside the Designer Label frame - I love how it turned out when layered with dimensionals and the Word Window punched piece as well. I have also stamped the punched pieces with the Sanded background to tie in with the base card, and I have sponged the edges.

Monday, November 9, 2009

As promised, here are some photos from my Christmas Open House event yesterday. Here is a snap of part of the table display (details to follow):

Starting in the centre and moving roughly clockwise, you can see the 'I Wish' mini album (designed by Andrea Walford), a little chocolate pull-treat (courtesy of Kim Gavarra), a 'box in a bag' (designed by Diana Gibbs), the Christmas card from the other day's blog post, some stamped candles (I learned this technique from Simone Bartrum), another card, a Sevens Box (designed by Marelle Taylor), a card and gift tag set, and another chocolate pull-out box (I adapted this one from a fabulous DVD holder by Claire Daly, and the 3D Christmas Classics tree was inspired by Jayne Mercer).

Here's a (blurry!) pic of a 5" x 5" art journal I made using On Board So Tweet chipboard, chocolate chip wide double-stitched grosgrain ribbon and Good Morning Sunshine DSP. I added rub-ons (from the Bright Delight pack) to this glass candle holder to match.

The ladies came up with some amazing variations as well, being innovative with their use of the wheel and punches, and all kinds of sponging too! Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of all the gorgeous creations as I was too busy - something to remember for next time :)

Thursday, November 5, 2009

I have been super busy getting ready for my Stampin' Up! Open House on Saturday. (If you live in the Gladstone, Queensland area and would like to come, just email me for the details!) I thought I wouldn't have time to do Keesh's challenge this week... but then I decided to use some leftover bits from the last project I created and join in anyway! Plus I now have a matching card as a sample for Saturday :)

Sunday, October 18, 2009

I had some time this morning to work on Keesh's Inkspirations Colour Challenge. I loved the colours this week - can you believe I got out my Pretty in Pink for the first time ever for this card?! Here are the colours:

ETA: For Jo (*waving hi*)- the stamens on the little black flower are part of the stamped image - I just stamped it in black and added the clear rhinestone to the centre, the white stamens are the white cardstock showing through. Hope that helps! (Thanks also to the others who have left lovely comments!)

Thursday, October 15, 2009

I am really leaving it to the last minute (well, hours anyway) for Keesh's Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #14:As soon as I saw this sketch, I had a great idea - however the stamp set I had in mind is still coming in the post :) So I have put together this card instead:

I used the 'watercolour rose' technique for the popped-up lily (I think that's what the flower is - all I know is that I am allergic to them, lol). You can find a tutorial for that technique here. I used watercolour paper instead, and used my aquapainter to swish it around a little.

I will definitely be trying out my other idea, once my new stamps arrive, so pop back to my blog another time and check it out!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

I used the colours and the shapes for my inspiration - the white space, rounded corners and red floral images, as well as the hint of chocolate (coffee beans) and saffron.

The base flower image was embossed in white onto gloss cardstock and then I brayered Ruby Red ink over the top. The top flower was stamped in Ruby Red and VersaMark and clear embossed before being coloured with my Ruby Red marker. I have added Ruby Red brads to the centre and layered the flowers and the main image panel with dimensionals.

P.S. I also wanted to say a big hello to Jo, who always leaves lovely comments on my blog (hers is one that my computer has issues with, which I mentioned last week). I usually email but can't find your address anywhere Jo! So, Hi and thanks - I love looking at your creations!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

World Cardmaking Day PromotionBuy a Simply Sent Card Elements kit for $30.95 (page 140/141 of the catalogue) and get 20 percent off the coordinating stamp set. That means you can buy the Wow Flowers stamp set or Starring You stamp set for only $19.95!

Breast Cancer Awareness PromotionIn addition to receiving the fabulous Starter Kit for $324 (with over $560 worth of products!), new Demonstrators who join Stampin' Up! between 7th October and 31st December 2009 will also receive a FREE pack of the gorgeous Raspberry Tart DSP and a FREE Pretty in Pink classic inkpad! Stampin' Up! will also donate $5 per new recruit to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Contact me if you'd like any more information on these promotions, or stamping or Stampin' Up! in general!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

As well as my creation below, I also made a boy's birthday card - these colours are great to work with! Here is my card:

I am a big fan of Suzanne Woolcott's Gorjuss Girls stamps, and I received my first bunch in the mail last week - this one is Bumble Bee. I have stamped her in Chocolate Chip onto Very Vanilla cardstock, and paper-pieced her skirt onto Very Vanilla DSP (from the Candy Lane pack). I coloured her clothes and hair with my markers (Not Quite Navy, Old Olive and Choc Chip) and used my inkpads and blender pens to colour her face and arms in Creamy Caramel and Pink Pirouette. The rest of the recipe is below:

I love checking out everyone's gorgeous creations online (sometimes I spend too much time doing that when I should be getting some work done, lol) but due to my browser being outdated, I am unable to leave comments on many people's blogs - thank you to those who leave comments here and I hope to have my computer issues fixed as soon as possible! :)

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

This week Keesh had a Colour Challenge for the weekly Inkspirations challenge. You can join in and view the other entries here.

Here are the FABULOUS colours - I enjoyed mixing the Real Red in there instead of my usual Choc Chip:

Here's my creation:

When I saw these colours, I immediately thought of a sunset, but I didn't want to add any other colours to the mix. I decided to emboss the tree (from Forest Friends) onto glossy white cardstock, and brayer the So Saffron, Regal Rose and Real Red across the sky. I masked out the ground with some sticky notes, and sponged some Real Red to give the ground and trunk some definition. I added a layer of Real Red underneath, and added some of the new So Saffron grosgrain ribbon with some thinner Real Red grosgrain ribbon tied around it. I then adhered a So Saffron button from the Button Latte pack, with a thin strip of red cardstock threaded through it. The greeting (from Trendy Trees) was embossed in white onto Regal Rose cardstock and the edge punched with the Eyelet Border punch. The whole layer was then placed onto So Saffron DSP and the folded corner detail was completed with another button from the Latte pack, this time in Whisper White with Regal Rose cardstock 'thread'. I added the paper-pierced corner and adhered everything to the Regal Rose base.

I'm happy with how it turned out - my first attempt at brayering, and a larger card than I usually make - that's why it's called a challenge, I guess :)Hope you like it,

Monday, September 7, 2009

No doubt you have heard about the fabulous Free Ribbon Bundle being offered by Stampin' Up! during September. (If you haven't, just scroll down a bit to read all about it!) In addition to this wonderful offer, I am also holding a Catalogue Party during September - if you would like to receive a FREE Ribbon Bundle, plus $10 of FREE merchandise with a $100 order ($200 orders will receive $20 in free merchandise and so on), simply place a minimum $100 order with me by Monday 21st September. One lucky participant will also win a FREE Level 1 Hostess Set of their choice. I will finalise orders and draw the lucky winner by 5pm on the 21st, so that leaves you 2 weeks to choose your goodies if you'd like to participate!

If you are new to cardmaking/scrapbooking/stamping, I am more than happy to help you put together a kit so you can start making your own beautiful creations - just email me for assistance.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

During September, you can receive a gorgeous ribbon bundle for FREE, by placing a $100 Stampin' Up! order, or hosting a $600 workshop! The ribbon bundle (pictured above) includes 9.1 metres each of 5/8" (1.6cm) wide grosgrain ribbon in So Saffron, and 5/8" poly-twill ribbon in Certainly Celery. These colours are exclusive to the September promotion!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Makeesha's sketch challenge had me stumped this week - I was really thrown by the oval, as I don't own any cutters or templates... so I decided to make a mini card, and use my wide oval punch!

I have used a Whisper White Love Note card as the base, with Choc Chip and So Saffron DSP layered over it, and So Saffron striped grosgrain ribbon. I used Choc Chip ink to stamp the gorgeous owl (from Forest Friends) and used my stamp-a-ma-jig and marker to add the branch from Great Friend to the end of the branch that the owl is on. I stamped the Great Friend branch in the background and again to cut out and pop up on the edge of the oval. The So Saffron oval was punched out using the wide oval punch, and the edges sponged in So Saffron ink. I added a white button (from the Button Latte pack) and white brads to tie in the elements from the sketch. The greeting is also from the Great Friend set. Both of these stamp sets are from the Spring Mini catalogue - I really hope they don't retire in November, as they are so beautiful and versatile.

I have been making lots of cards lately for family birthdays, Fathers' Day and for a class I am doing next week - I know some of the recipients read my blog so I will wait a little longer to upload the pics! I have been so happy and excited with all this stamping going on, and to top it all off I have just found out that the Brisbane Regionals are coming up in November - I can't wait for my first event :)

Friday, August 21, 2009

I just love these little handbags made with punches - they are so cute and really fun and quick to make. I can't remember where I first saw them, but there is a good tutorial here. I don't have the small oval punch, so I used the Word Window punch instead - and I actually like the wider straps better :)

I also used the 'Weathered' background stamp to create a mock-croc sort of texture for the bag.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

I decided to use the white and grey tones, and the overall shape and feel of the image - I was drawn to the recessed splashback, and came across a new technique (well, new for me, lol!) - the recessed window card. Thanks to the talented Renee from the DT who posted the link to the tutorial! I definitely had my 'L' plates on for this one, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Here's my card:

I stamped the image (from Pocket Silhouettes) in Basic Grey and stamped off several times. The greeting (from Great Friend) was framed with silver Hodgepodge Hardware and the whole panel was then mounted on Basic Grey cardstock. I made the recessed window card (following the tutorial - see link above, although I wanted mine rectangular to mimic the kitchen splashback) and left it mostly white, with just a strip of Basic Grey scalloped DSP, taffeta ribbon and new corduroy button to finish it off. I also added silver brads to tie in the silver frame from the greeting, inspired by the silver fittings from the photo. The corduroy brad was used to tie in the texture of the linen in the place settings.

I stamped the greeting and bird onto the vanilla layer and punched the slot for the tag with my word window punch. I punched the celery layer before adhering them together and paper-piercing the edge. I added 'stitching' with my Bashful Blue marker. I assembled my tag and punched out a celery/bashful blue flower from the Summer Picnic DSP (retired) for the build-a-brad, which secures the twill tape. (The tag has 'Wishing you all this... and more!' stamped on it when you pull it out - again from the Best Wishes & More set). I assembled some flowers from the Die-cut Blooms pack to go with the flower image, which I inked up with Pumpkin Pie ink and my Bashful Blue marker. The leaves are stamped in VersaMark onto Certainly Celery cardstock and cut out. All the flowers, and the bird, are mounted on dimensionals. I have used some spotty Bashful Blue DSP and Pumpkin Pie cardstock for the base.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

I really love the cards Fiona has done using the "Tea for Two" set from PapertreyInk. Anyway when checking out her blog I came across an awesome blog candy opportunity from A Passion for Papertrey. Check out the details here if you want to enter!

I have yet to try paper piecing as a technique, but Fiona's gorgeous cards, using the scrummy Parisian Breeze DSP make me want to try it out. I am hoping to get some cards done today, will see how I go :)

Monday, August 3, 2009

The card I made today for Makeesha's latest sketch includes my new favourite stamp set from the Spring Mini - Forest Friends. I came across this set a while ago on a US blog when looking for owl images; as well as the deer featured below the set includes a gorgeous owl, rabbit and tree. I am so glad this set made it to Australia! Here is Keesh's Inkspirations Sketch #11:

And here's the card I made:

As well as Forest Friends, I also used the new Great Friend stamp set for the greeting and leaf image. These sets coordinate perfectly with the new Walk in the Park DSP, which features Basic Grey, Baja Breeze, Cameo Coral and Kiwi Kiss. I stamped the deer from Forest Friends in Basic Grey ink, then re-inked and stamped onto the imaging sheet from my stamp-a-ma-jig (no need to use the actual stamp-a-ma-jig, just stamp anywhere on the sheet). Then I flipped the sheet over, lined up the deer's refelection and pressed onto the cardstock. I learned this technique here. I coloured the water with Baja Breeze ink and my blender pen, and stamped the leaves on the top in Kiwi Kiss. The greeting from Great Friend is punched out with the large oval punch and mounted onto a scalloped oval using the new punch, also from the Spring Mini. I have used Baja Breeze Flower Fusion Too felt flowers and pewter brads, and some Basic Grey taffeta ribbon. The base card has also been stamped with the leaf image for added detail.

Hopefully I can fit a bit more stamping in this evening - thanks Keesh for the challenging sketch!Genelle.

Hooray! It's August, which means it's time to introduce the new Spring Mini cataogue! You can view the catalogue online by clicking here or by the link in my sidebar. If you'd like a copy mailed out to you, email me (or your own Demonstrator if you have one already) to arrange your very own copy to drool over!

I'll be back in a moment with a card which uses some of the great new products available, including my new favourite stamp set...

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Here are two birthday cards which I made this week for my beloved aunty & uncle:

I've used the lighthouse image from Uncharted Territory, which I've coloured with my blender pen & inks; some Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP and cardstock, More Mustard and Not quite Navy cardstock, silver Hodgepodge Hardware and silver embossing powder on the chipboard numbers and greeting (from Short & Sweet).

I have seen these Flower Pot cards on numerous blogs, but it wasn't until I saw the tutorial on Splitcoast this week that I decided to give it a try. You can find the tutorial here. My version is slightly altered, with the flowers mostly mounted onto the pot itself and not the insert - the next pic shows the insert lifted out:

The flowers were made with Die-cut Blooms and the leaves stamped from Best Wishes & More. Very cute and simple to make.

Although I haven't published anything since last week's challenge, I have been busily creating and can't wait to publish some pics, which I will be able to do once the Spring Mini catalogue begins this Saturday!

I took my inspiration from the colours, texture and pattern of the bed linen. I chose Basic Black, Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Basic Grey and More Mustard. Here's my card:

I have used the tape measure stamp from 'Totally Tool' (or 'Totally Tools' if you go by the catalogue!) and coloured it with More Mustard ink. The white panel has been mounted onto Taken with Teal and More Mustard cardstock. Although it is hard to see in the photo, I have dry embossed a diamond pattern onto the black cardstock at the top, using my bone folder and a ruler. The DSP at the bottom is Basic Grey (from the current Hostess Patterns Pack) and I have added twill tape, Basic Grey taffeta ribbon, jumbo eyelets, antique brass brads and paper piercing for embellishment.

I'm happy with how it looks in real life, but once again less than thrilled with my photography! Helpful tips welcomed - I am trying daylight, no flash etc but not really getting anywhere :).

Thursday, July 23, 2009

I've never been a fan of the whole 'Christmas in July' idea (I can eat yummy winter food all year round, lol), but quite a few Christmas cards are appearing in blogland and when I saw the colour combo for Makeesha's latest Colour Challenge, I decided a Christmas card would be the way to go! Here are the colours:And here is what I came up with:

Now although I had the correct cardstock colours, I don't have any of these ink colours, so all the images (from 'Season of Joy') have been stamped in VersaMark. The background image was left plain, and the tree and flowers were clear embossed. The greeting was embossed in silver. I layered the tree with dimensionals onto a Very Vanilla scallop medallion, which I came across on the very talented Nancy Riley's blog. You can find the details here. The medallion is layered onto Always Artichoke and Rose Red, with a silver star brad (non SU) at the top. I cut a tag for the greeting and adhered it to the Always Artichoke ribbon with a silver brad. The Rose Red flowers are also popped up on dimensionals. The embossing looks beautiful and glossy in reality, and I enjoyed playing with my new Heat Tool too.

Thanks Keesh for the challenge, and the inspiration to get my Christmas cards started early!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

I have been busy this week getting stuck into my new stamp sets :) I have also played along with Makeesha's latest Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #10. This was one challenge where I started off with an idea and ended up creating something completely different! Maybe I will finish the original idea one of these days, but for now, here is the sketch:

And here is my card:

I inked the cherry image from Tart & Tangy with markers, and mounted it on a Real Red scalloped circle, a circle of Old Olive and a Bashful Blue die-cut from the Die-Cut Blooms pack, with some layers mounted on dimensionals. The DSP is all from the Summer Picnic pack - I LOVE this paper and was sad that it didn't make this year's catalogue even though the stamp set did! I have set coloured eyelets (non SU) into the centres of the DSP flowers and used some Real Red ribbon and paper piercing on the layers. The greeting is from Short & Sweet.

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About Me

I'm a wife, mother of two (aged 7 and 3) and an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.
I have always loved paper, stationery and making cards. In 2008 I attended a Stampin' Up! workshop and fell in love! I became a Demonstrator in June 2009 as my wish list just kept on growing! I hope to share my ideas and pass on the inspiration I receive from others.